A new paradigm for golf?

Once again we witness the night and day difference between current town manager, John Musante, and the former town mangler Larry Shaffer--this time concerning something of paramount importance: truth-telling.

Five years ago Leisure Services and Supplemental Education and Shaffer had the audacity to issue a press release heralding that year's golf balance sheet, trumpeting a $7,200 "profit" while ignoring $40,000 in "hidden costs" (employee benefits, insurance, new equipment).

In an interview with the Springfield Republican town manager Larry Shaffer crossed the line by saying Cherry Hill required "no tax support." I even asked him at a follow up public meeting if he was misquoted, and he again reaffirmed the lie.

At last night's Select Board meeting the new Finance Director Sandy Pooler admitted Cherry Hill fell far short of FY2011 projected revenues ($270,000), which almost matched the actual $263,670 total cost of operations, with an intake of only $223,537 as first reported here six weeks ago, or a loss of over $40,000.

Of course he could not help but parrot the old excuse of that darn New England weather, but at least he also admitted the down economy takes a toll on the rich man's game of golf. Maybe now that transparency is the new marching order from Town Hall, citizens will get a true picture of the cost of golf.

And, unlike the scenic vistas aficionados admire, it ain't pretty.

Water under the bridge

The photo grabs you as it seems to explode from the front page of this morning's Daily Hampshire Gazette, clearly illustrating the potential power of water gone wild--more so than a skilled writer could accomplish in 1,000 words.

Kudos to ace photographer Carol Lollis; a raspberry to the editor who approved it.

It's one thing for a photographer to capture an extemporaneous scene involving a person thrust into a dramatic situation through no fault of their own. It's another case entirely when that person is showing off, or risking their life with reckless abandon (for all we know, because he spotted the photojournalist taking pictures.)

Six weeks ago three hikers hopped over a guardrail plastered with danger signs at Yosemite National Park to take dramatic action pictures of a raging waterfall. They got a little to close and cascaded to their deaths.

"Jackass: The Movie", where silly stunts take center stage, has enticed impressionable--usually young--viewers to attempt the same dangerous nonsense at home, in front of a camera, all too often with painful results. When the national press publishes a picture of President Obama smoking a cigarette or riding a bike without a helmet, people rightfully point out what a terrible example that sets.

While the Internet has greatly reduced the gatekeeper role of the mainstream media, a local hometown newspaper like the Daily Hampshire Gazette still has unique power when presenting the news. Hyping risky behavior can easily encourage copy cats who may not be so lucky next time.

And these days, the Gazette can't afford to lose any more readers.

Party House of the Weekend

41 Hobart Lane

While most responsible adults spent Saturday evening preparing for the wrath of Hurricane Irene (which fortunatley never arrived) these bad boys were having an end of the world--or perhaps start of the semester--party. Or maybe, since it was the main leaseholder's 20th birthday, a birthday bash.

The Amherst Police Department is serious about keeping our community safe and comfortable for all citizens--and that includes "quiet enjoyment" of one's most important asset, their homes.

According to police narrative:

"Approximately 50 guests standing outside of number 41. Estimate another 30-40 inside drinking and shouting. Resident identified and issued TBL (town bylaw) for noise. Guests cleared out."

Summons: Patrick Carey
Address: South Boston, MA
Age: 20

What a difference...

"Until the morning comes again

I will remain with you my friend

And we will ride until the sun

Goes to the place where it begun

And we will live to laugh and cry another day"

High Noon

Town Manager John Musante seated left, Chief Scott Livingstone standing

UPDATE 6:00 PM
Methinks Irene is done, not that it seems she ever got started--at least not here in the Happy Valley. No complaints, however, none whatsoever.
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ORIGINAL POST 12:54 PM
So far so good; a few downed trees and limbs but nothing the DPW can't handle. The Town fired up the Emergency Operations Center at the police station (otherwise known as the "community room") with town manager John Musante, police, fire, DPW chiefs and even animal control officer Carol Hepburn huddled together so the decision makers are all in one room with phones/internet/TV, backed up by a generator.

Recent bulletin from the EOC:

Amherst Storm Update 3:00 PM Sunday August 28, 2011

- Heavy rain and winds will diminish this afternoon as the eye of the Tropical Storm passes thru MA to our west.
- Be Alert for downed trees and wires - Winds will gust to 40 mph this evening.
- Temporary Street Closures.
- Cottage Street at corner of Triangle Street (water)
- Pelham Road from Main/South East Streets to Amethyst Brook (water)
- Newell Court (tree).
- Mt. Pleasant Street (tree).
- East Leverett Road from Leverett Road to Teewaddle Road (water)
- To report a downed tree, call Amherst DPW at 259-3050. Be specific with location (i.e. house number).
- WMECO reports 101 Amherst customers without power (1% of Amherst customers).
- To report a power outage, call Western Mass Electric Co. (WMECO) 413-781-4300.

Sunday noon town center peace protest

Geese seem unconcerned

Near miss

Stow the colors

Big Y doesn't look the same without Old Glory

While most people prepare for a hurricane by invading the local grocery store to wipe out supplies of bread, milk, and batteries, the Big Y in Amherst prepared for Irene by taking down their massive American flag to protect it from the wind whipping of a lifetime.

The town of Amherst also took the same precautions, including the UN flag nearest to Town Hall.

Town Hall sans American or UN flag

Batten down the hatches!

Amherst DPW workers prepare for the worst as hellacious Hurricane Irene bears down on the Happy Valley. Scary when you consider "the barn" is already built like a proverbial brick outhouse.